Is this thing home made?

[Rich Keller]

I did not think they started making back plates until about 15 or 20 years ago.

Old Vintage Scuba Diving Hard Backplate / BackPack Aluminum 1960s | eBay

 

[Luis H]

That one may be home made, I don't recognize it, but metal back plates have been around since the 50's.

I have a SeaCraft back plate that dates to the 50's.

Take a look at this thread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/vintage-equipment-diving/395396-backplates-history.html

 

[Mike Lev]

It is homemade I can tell by the bad welding on it. Desco had back plates from the early 50's also.